The June 2026 employment report shows the labor force participation rate slipped to 61.5%, the lowest level in fifty years when Covid‑era distortions are excluded. Hundreds of thousands of workers stopped looking for jobs, a sign that the low unemployment rate may mask deeper slack in the labor market.
U.S. non‑farm payrolls rose only 57,000 in June, far below the 115,000 forecast and a sharp drop from May’s revised 129,000 gain. Unemployment edged down to 4.2% as labor‑force participation slipped, leaving the Fed with little pressure to hike rates further. The slowdown undercuts the narrative of a resurging labor market.
Fortune’s exclusive reveals that Condoleezza Rice, former Fed Vice Chair Don Kohn, and others see Warsh as a relentless, people‑focused leader ready to steer the central bank through unprecedented political pressure. Their take suggests his curiosity and interpersonal skill could restore credibility to policy guidance, a critical factor for markets and borrowers alike.